Webster, N.Y. – One single issue swept a slate of candidates into office this week in the Village of Webster.
Water.
For years, people there have complained about their water calling it too hard.
From those complaints came a vocal group bent on switching from the current supply – a nearby aquifer – to Monroe County water.
The mayor and trustees refused to switch saying it would cost residents too much money.
John Cahill and several others formed their own party to oust village leadership.
On Tuesday, voters handed power over to Cahill.
He became mayor and the two others on his slate became trustees.
“Our hopes are in 6 months we’ll have that switch over … but we will be completing our due diligence in terms of the switch over,” Cahill said.
Mayor Peter Elder, who lost on Tuesday, said it’s very likely Cahill will have his way.
“I’m not going away, I’ve been involved in the village for 20 years, I’ll just face a different direction and I’ll work hard to make sure the administration is kept aware of the 47 percent who like that water and want a slower transition to a different supply,” Elder said.
